Shelf divider mechanisms



Feb. 24,. 1970 F. P. FIELD 3 4M 08! SHELF 'DIVIDER MECHANISMS Filed Feb.26. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK P. FIELD ATTORNEY;

Feb. 24, 1970 F. P. FIELD SHELF DIVIDER MECHANISMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 26. 1968 FIG. II

INVENTOR FRANK P FIELD FIG. I2

%MIMM,M/M

ATTORNEKQ United States Patent US. Cl. 211184 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLUSURE A shelf divider including a securing mechanism having aperforation edge engaging hook facing in one direction and a perforationedge-engaging abutment facing in an opposite direction and combined witha shelf underlapping lip.

A hook mechanism for securing a divider end including a hook, flangemeans extending laterally from opposite hook sides, and a U-shapedmounting bracket connected with these flanges.

A shelf divider locking mechanism including a pair of abutments, onebeing rotatably mounted for axial convergence toward a position ofparallelism with another fixed abutment.

A shelf divider securing mechanism including spaced, shelf perforationpenetrating, cam lugs, each having a locking shank and a camming surfaceextending therefrom.

This invention relates to mechanisms designed to secure shelf dividersof the type utilized to separate merchandise for vending and displaypurposes.

General background, objects and summary of invention Modernmerchandising techniques require that goods be isolated or supported indefined shelf areas. Frequently, it is necessary to change the size orlocation of display areas. Where such changes are required, or where newdisplay areas must be created, shelf dividers must be capable of beingeasily relocated or installed by mechanically unskilled sales personnel.

A number of approaches have been developed in the merchandising displayart in an effort to provide effective techniques for mounting and/ orrelocating shelf dividers. In many instances, however, these approacheshave entailed excessive manufacturing costs or excessive difiiculties insecuring dividers to shelving. Many devices previously devised forsecuring shelf dividers have been uniquely vulnerable to breakage andhave failed in many ways to provide effective and rigid divider support.

It thus is a principal object of the present invention to provide shelfdivider structures which are relatively easy and inexpensive tomanufacture and yet which provide effective divider support.

It is likewise a principal object of the invention to provide suchdivider supporting mechanisms which enable dividers to be initiallyinstalled or relocated with maximum ease by mechanically unskilled salespersonnel.

It is also an object of the invention to provide divider securingstructures which may be readily adapted to a variety of divider wallstructures and interchanged, de pending upon the portions of a dividershelf to be engaged by the divider supporting mechanisms.

3,497,081 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 In accomplishing at least some of theseobjects, a shelf divider is presented which includes a shelf dividerbody having laterally and resiliently flexible end portions. At leastone securing means is connected to one laterally and resilientlyflexible end portion of this divider body. This securing means includeshook means engageable with a shelf perforation edge which facesgenerally away from the divider body. An arm means extends laterally ofthis hook means and supports a shelf perforation engaging, lockingabutment means. The locking abutment means includes a shelf perforationedge engaging, abutment means facing generally away from the dividerbody. The locking abutment means also includes locking lip meansextending from this abutment means generally away from the divider bodyand engageable with an under surface of a shelf.

Other objects of the invention are accomplished by a shelf dividerincluding a unique cam locking mechanism. This cam locking mechanismincludes a first, shelf divider engaging, planar abutment means fixedlycarried by one divider body portion and a second, shelf dividerengaging, planar abutment means rotatably carried by this body por tion.Mounting means support the second abutment means for rotation about anaxis inclined relative to the plane of the first abutment means. Thesecond abutment means, while being rotated about the mounting means,becomes parallel with the first abutment means during a portion of itsrotation during which the two abutment means are undergoing relativeaxial convergence.

Other objects of the invention are accomplished by a shelf dividerincluding a divider body and a unique mounting hook engageable with anedge portion of a shelf supporting the divider body. This mounting hookincludes hook body means and flange means coextensive with the hook andextending laterally from each side. A U-shaped mounting bracket servesto interconnect the hook with the divider body. The hook flanges extendlaterally along opposite sides of the U-shaped mounting bracket.

Still other objects of the invention are attained through a dividermechanism which includes a base plate and a plurality of spaced camminglugs projecting laterally therefrom. Each camming lug is operable topenetrate a shelf perforation and includes a shank edge adjacent andextending perpendicular to one side of the base plate. Each lug alsoincludes a cam edge inclined and extending outwardly from the shankedge. The shank edges of at least two spaced cam lugs are criticallyspaced so as to be simultaneously, compressively engageable with edgeportions of shelf perforations.

Drawings In describing the invention reference will be made to preferredembodiments shown in the appended drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 provides a perspective illustration of a conventional perforatemetal, display shelf upon which a divider embodying the presentinvention is positioned;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the FIGURE 1aassembly illustrating the manner in which a spring biased hook serves topartially secure one end of the shelf divider of the FIGURE 1 assembly;

FIGURES 2 through 5 provide fragmentary and partially sectioned views ofthe FIGURE 1 assembly, il-

lustrating, in numerical sequence, sequential positioning of dividersecuring components during the installation of the divider on theperforate shelf;

FIGURE 6 illustrates alternative divider mounting structures, incombination with a structure for securing an auxiliary divider extendingtransversely of two principal or transversely extending shelf dividerunits;

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 provide a sequential illustration of the positioningof one of the cam lock mechanisms incorporated in the FIGURE 6 assembly,each of which mechanisms is operable to secure the auxiliary orlongitudinally extending shelf divider to a pair of transverselyextending or principal shelf divider units;

FIGURE illustrates a divider holding mechanism which, when detachablyinstalled, serves to secure a shelf divider to a base plate; and

FIGURES 11 and 12 sequentially illustrate, in numerical order, theinstallation of the holding mechanism shown in FIGURE 10, with thismechanism and an associated perforate shelf being sectioned along thesection line 1111 of FIGURE 10.

General context of invention Merchandising operations require shelvingunits which may be provided with dividers so as to selectively isolategoods on shelf portions.

Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, a conventional, perforate metal shelf 1,which extends longitudinally in the direction L, is divided intolongitudinal segments 1a and 1b by a shelf divider body 2.

Shelf divider body 2 may be fabricated of transparent, translucent oropaque plastic. Divider body 2 is positioned so as to extendtransversely of the shelf 1, perpendicular to its longitudinal dimensionL.

As will be appreciated, changes in display arrangements will frequentlyor occasionally require the relocation of the divider body 2. Suchchanges in a merchandise display may also require the addition of otherdividers, some of which may extend perpendicular to the divider body 2,i.e., in general alignment with the shelf direction L.

While arrangements for securing dividers extending both longitudinallyand transversely of the shelf 1 comprise significant aspects of theinvention, attention, at the outset, will be focused on the structureshown in FIG- URE 1 for detachably securing the divided body 2 to theshelf 1.

Divider mounting mechanism Divider body 2, in being fabricated ofplastic material such as polystyrene, inherently possesses a substantialdegree of resilient flexibility. Thus, the end portions 2a and 2b of thedivider body 2 are capable of being resiliently flexed laterally of themedian plane of the divider 2, i.e., about axes extending perpendicularto the plane of the shelf 1.

One end 2a of divider body 2 is secured to shelf 1 by a first clip-like,securing means 3. Securing clip 3 is fabricated as a unitary structurefrom resilient sheet metal.

The other end 2b of divider body 2 is secured to shelf 1 by a secondsecuring means 4. Divider securing means 4 is also fabricated as aone-piece clip-like structure from sheet metal, quite likely the samesheet metal as that employed in fabricating clip 3.

Securing clip 3 includes a U-shaped, resilient spring portion 5 operableto exert spring force in a direction extending longitudinally along themedian plane of the divider 2. Spring 5 includes an outermost leg 6which projects downwardly to merge with an arm 7. Arm 7 extendstransversely of the median plane of the divider 2 and in generalalignment with the direction L.

Arm 7 supports a hook 8 which, as shown in FIG- URE 1a, has a concaveside facing generally toward the divider body 2. Hook 8 is engageablewith an edge portion 9 of shelf aperture 10. This edge portion 9 facesgenerally away from the divider body 2.

Arm 7 also supports a locking abutment 11. Locking abutment 11 includesa perforation edge engaging abutment 12. This abutment 12 extendsgenerally downwardly and away from the arm 7, when the arm 7 is viewedas shown in FIGURE 1. Abutment 12 is engaged with an edge portion 13 ofan aperture 14, which edge portion 13 faces generally toward the dividerbody 2. Thus, abutment 12 faces generally away from the divider body 2.

At this point, it should be noted that in indicating that a componentfaces generally away from or toward another component, the terminologyaway from or toward" is used in a broad sense. Thus, abutment 12 facesaway from body 2 in the sense that the body 2 and the abutment 12 aredisposed on opposite sides of the arm 7. Similarly, the concave side ofbook 8 faces generally toward the body 2 in the sense that it faces theside of the arm 7 which supports the body 2.

Locking abutment means 11 also includes a locking lip 15. Locking lip 16is connected with the abutment 12 and projects generally away from theabutment 12 and its associated arm 7. Locking lip 15 is disposed so asto extend generally parallel with the plane of the arm 7 as well as themedian plane of the sheet metal shelf 1.

As shown in FIGURE 1, lip 15 is engageable with the under surface of ashelf portion 16, which shelf portion extends away from the apertureedge portion 13.

With locking mechanism 3 disposed as shown in FIG- URE 1, book 8 engagesedge portion 9 of aperture 10, with abutment 12 engaging edge portion 13of aperture 14. Locking lip 15 stabilizes abutment 12 within aperture14. In this fashion, securing means 3 anchors divider body end 2aagainst vertical movement upwardly away from the perforate shelf 1, aswell as against rotational movement about an axis extending through theend leg 17 of divider body 2.

Securing means 3 also includes a U-shaped mounting bracket portion 18.This bracket 18 is secured to the base leg 19 of divider body 2 by pinor rivet type fasteners 20 as schematically shown in FIGURE 1. Bracket18 has a base wall portion 18a underlying leg 19 and merging with spring9.

Second securing mechanism 4 also includes a U-shaped mounting bracket21. This mounting bracket 21 is secured by pins 22 to divider base leg19 as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Bracket 21 has a base wall 21a underlyingleg 19.

Mechanism 4 includes a hook portion 23 which faces generally toward thehook portion 8. Hook 23, which is concave in a direction facing towardthe hook 8, is engageable with edge 24 of an aperture 25, which edge 24faces generally toward the aperture edge 9.

An arm 26 of mechanism 4 projects laterally from mounting bracket 21 anddefines a continuation of bracket base wall 21a extending generallyperpendicular to base leg 19. The median plane of sheet metal arm 26 isparallel with the plane of the perforate shelf 1.

Arm 26 includes a locking abutment means 27, identical to lockingabutment means 11, but disposed in a mirror image relationship withrespect to this latter locking abutment means. Thus, locking abutmentmeans 27 includes an abutment portion 28 engageable with an edge 29 ofaperture 30, which edge 29 faces toward the aperture edge 13. Lockingabutment means 27 additionally includes a locking lip 31 which extendsaway from abutment 28 and beneath the plate surface 32 which liesadjacent the edge 29.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the arms 26 and 7 extend in spaced, parallelrelationship from one side of the divider body 2. The mutually facinghooks 8 and 23 are spaced laterally from this one side of the dividerbody 2 so as to be engageable with apertures 10 and 25 in the sameaperture row. Similarly, the locking abutment means 11 and 27 are spacedoutwardly from the median plane of the divider body 2 so as to beengageable with apertures 13 and 30 in the same aperture row.

FIGURES 2 and 5 schematically illustrate the manner in which themechanisms 3 and 4 serve to detachably secure the divider body 2 to theperforate plate 1. With mechanism 4 spaced upwardly above the plate 1,the hook 8 of mechanism 3 is inserted in the aperture 10 as shown inFIGURE 2. Thereafter, locking lip is inserted into the aperture 14. Thearm 7 is then rotated so as to bring the mechanism 3 into the positionshown in FIGURE 3 where the locking lip 15 underlies the aperturesurface 16 and the abutment 12 engages the aperture edge 13.

With this rotation of the arm 7, it is possible to exert a pull on thedivider body end leg 33, away from the mounting mechanism 3, so as toextend the spring 5. Spring 5 is thus resiliently extended until hook 23may be lowered into the aperture 25 and engaged with the aperture edge24. As shown in FIGURE 4, all this is accomplished with the lockingabutment means 27 lying on the top surface of the plate 1, above theaperture 30.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGURE 5, the end portion 2b of the divider bodyis flexed so as to cause the arm 26 to rotate counterclockwise about thehook 23, when the apparatus is viewed as shown in FIGURE 5. Thiscounterclockwise rotation of the arm 26 enables the locking lip 31 to bedepressed downwardly into the aperture 30. Following this insertion ofthe lip 31 into the aperture 30, the natural resilience of the dividerbody portion 2b is allowed to restore the arm 26 to the position shownin FIGURE 4, i.e., to rotate the arm 26 clockwise to its normal positionextending perpendicular to the row of apertures including the aperturesand 14.

This clockwise rotation of the arm 26 serves to bring the abutment 28into engagement with the aperture edge 29 as shown in FIGURE 1.

In this connection it will be recognized that the dimensioning of thelip 31 and abutment 28 is such as to enable the abutment 28 and lip 31to pass downwardly through the aperture 30. A similar relationship ofcourse exists between the aperture 14 and the lip 15 and abutment 12 ofsecuring mechanism 3.

With the mechanisms 3 and 4 thus securing the end portions 2a and 2b ofthe divider body 2, this divider body is resiliently anchored to theshelf 1. The ends 2a and 2b of the divider body are prevented fromundergoing rotational movement as well as movement away from theperforate shelf 1.

Significantly, this unusually secure and easy-to-efiect installation isaccomplished without resort to special tools or precision manufacture.

Shelf-edge engaging, divider mounting arrangement FIGURES 6 through 9illustrate divider assembly 101 including a pair of dividers 102 and103. Each of the dividers 102 and 103 would be mounted as the divider 2,i.e., so as to extend transversely of a display shelf 1.

Dividers 102 and 103 are each fabricated from plastic such aspolystyrene. The polystyrene divider body 104 of each divider isconnected, at one end, to a shelf edge by a sheet metal mounting clip105. Mounting clip 105 includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 106 securedby pin means 107 to the base leg 108 of the divider body 104. A U-shapedresilient spring portion 109 of clip 105, extending from a bracket basewall 106a, connects the mounting bracket with a hook portion 110. Hookportion 110 is operable to engage a shelf edge in substantially thefashion described in McKeehan Patent 2,538,908.

A unique and significantly improved mounting hook 111 is connected withthe other end 112 of divider body 104.

Mounting hook 111 is fabricated from the same material as that employedin the fabrication of the body 104, i.e., material such as polystyrene.

Hook 111 is designed to engage one edge of a shelf, with hook portionbeing resiliently movable longitudinally away from hook 111 to engage anopposite shelf edge corresponding generally to the divider mountingprinciple described in the aforesaid McKeehan patent.

Improved hook 111 includes a hook body 113 including a concave hookingedge 114 and a convex outer edge 115. A hook shank 116 extendslongitudinally of the body base leg 108 as generally shown.

A first, generally planar, flange 117 extends in coextensive or coplanarfashion around the concave hook edge 114 and projects from one side 118-of this hook. A second planar flange 119 extends from the opposite side120 of the hook 114. Flange 120 is planar and longitudinally coextensivewith the flange 117.

Each of the flanges 117 and 119 is coplanar with the underside of theshank 116 and projects longitudinally beyond the shank 116.

Hook 111 includes a U-shaped mounting bracket 121. This bracket includesfirst and second, parallel leg portions 122 and 123. A bracket end 124extends between and connects the legs 122 and 123 and also connectsthese legs with the hook shank 116. A base wall 121a connects the edgesof legs 122 and 123.

As shown in FIGURE 6, flange 117 extends longitudinally along and isconnected with the leg 122. In a similar, mirror image fashion, which isobvious and therefore not fully illustrated, flange 119 extends alongand is connected with the leg 123.

As shown in connection with the divided body 102, the first and secondlegs 122 and 123 extends along and are engaged with opposite sides ofwall or base portion 108 of the divider body 104. Conventional rivets orsecuring pins 125 pass through aligned apertures of book 111 and baseportion 108 to anchor the hook 111 in place.

As will be appreciated, this particular hook securing arrangement may beemployed in lieu of the plate perforation engaging concept earlierdescribed for the purpose of securing a divider in place on a shelf.

Longitudinal divider mounting As shown in connection with the dividerbody 102, auxiliary divider 200 which extends perpendicularly be tweenthe transversely extending shelf dividers 102 and 103. Thus, divider 101extends longitudinally of the shelf supporting the dividers 102 and 103.

Auxiliary divider 200 includes a first body portion 201 and a secondbody portion 202. As illustrated, body portion 201 includes generallyU-shaped edge portions 203 and 204 which define a trackway. Thistrackway slidably or telescopingly supports the body portion 202 fortelescoping or sliding movement perpendicular to the median planes ofthe dividers 102 and 103.

Each of the body portions 201 and 202 may be fabricated of moldedplastic material such as polystyrene.

Body portion 201 includes, at one end, a cam lock mounting mechanism 205operable to detachably connect the body portion 201 to divider 102. Anidentical cam lock mechanism 206, mounted on planar wall end 207 ofdivider body portion 202, serves to detachably secure the body portion202 to body portion 104 of divider 103.

With cam lock mounting mechanisms 205 and 206 being identical,structural details of the cam lock unit 206 only will be described indetail.

Cam lock 206, as shown schematically, in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 includesupper and lower units 206a and 20612. Upper unit 206a includes a planarabutment surface 208 comprising a portion of end wall 207. A secondplanar, or flat, abutment 209 is mounted On a hub 210. Hub 210 isjournaled on a mounting pin or spindle 211. The axis of spindle 211 liesin a plane extending parallel to the top leg 212 of the body portion 202and thus parallel to the shelf upon which the dividers 102, 103 and 200are to be mounted. The pivot axis of shaft 211, however, is

7 inclined in this plane, with reference to the vertical median plane ofthe divider 200, when the divider is viewed as shown in FIGURE 6.

The abutment 209 is oriented relative to the hub 210, such that when theabutment 209 extends vertically upwardly, it is disposed in parallel andspaced relationship with respect to the abutment 208. Abutment 209 isoriented on the hub 210 so as to move into this parallel relationshipwith the planar abutment surface 208, while the abutment 209 is rotatingclockwise and axially converging with the abutment surface 208.

Thus, with this abutment arrangement, and with the abutment 209 turned90 counterclockwise out of its locking or converged position, as shownin FIGURE 7, the abutment surface 208 may be placed against one side ofthe top leg 126 of the divider 103. By then rotating the abutment 209 90clockwise, about the pin 211, the abutment 209 will be cammingly movedinto converging relationship with the abutment 208. The abutment 209 islocated along the axis of the hub 210 so as to cause the abutments 208and 209 to assume the parallel relationship shown in FIGURE 9 when theabutments 209 and 208 grippingly engage opposite sides 127 and 128 ofthe divider top leg 126.

The lower cam lock unit 206b, carried along the lower portion of thebody end wall 207 is operable to engage the lower leg 108 of the divider102. Thus, cam lock unit 206b includes a stationary, planar abutmentwall 215 and a rotatable, planar abutment wall 216. Rotatable abutmentwall 216 undergoes rotation and converges axially toward the abutmentwall 215 so as to cause the abutment surfaces 215 and 216 to engageopposite sides of the divider leg 108 as shown in FIGURE 6.

The abutment surfaces 215 and 216 face generally toward the shelfsupporting the assembly 101 when oriented in their gripping position,while the abutments 208 and 209 face upwardly away from this shelf whendisposed in their divider leg gripping position. This enables themechanism 206 to penetrate the divider body 104 and exert its grippingeffect without extending beyond the vertical limits of the divider body.

As will be appreciated, the structure of the cam lock mechanism 205 isidentical to that of the mechanism 206.

Auxiliary divider support structure FIGURES 10 and 11 and 12 illustratestructural details of a mounting mechanism operable to supportinglyengage the lower leg portions of divider bodies of the type previouslydescribed.

As shown in FIGURE 10, this divider supporting mechanism 300 includes aplanar, base plate portion 301. A cam lug or tab 303 bentperpendicularly downwardly from base plate 302 provides a shank edge 304extending perpendicularly and downwardly from base plate 302. A cam edgesurface 305 extends in an inclined fashion downwardly and away fromshank edge 304.

A second cam lug 306 extends downwardly from base plate 302 and isparallel to the lug 303. Lug 306 includes a shank edge and a cam edgesurface, both identical to, and parallel and coplanar with the edges 304and 305, respectively.

A third camming lug means 307 is carried by the base plate 303. Thisthird camming lug includes an arm 308 extending outwardly from and incoplanar relationship with the base plate 302. The axis of arm 308passes between tabs 303 and 306 and, is perpendicular to, a planealigned with the shank edge 304 of the lug 303 and the correspondingshank edge of the lug 306.

A shank edge 309 extends perpendicularly downward from arm 308 so as tobe parallel with the shank edge 304- and the counterpart shank edge ofthe cam lug 306. The cam edge 310 is inclined downwardly from the shankedge 309.

A generally rectangular guide key 311 projects downwardly from the camedge 310 so as to extend away from the arm 308.

Each of the camming lugs 303, 306 and 307 is insertable through anaperture of a perforate mounting plate 312 as shown generally in FIGURE10. However, the common plane of the edge 304 of the lug 303 and thecorresponding shank edge of lug 306 are so displaced from the locationof the shank edge 309 as to cause all these shank edges to compressivelyengage shelf perforation edge portions.

The structure which produces compressive engagement between shelfperforation edges and the cam lug shank edges will be appreciated morefully with reference to FIGURES l1 and 12. As there shown, the mechanism300 is positioned with the cam edge 305 engaged with an aperture edge313 and the camming edge 310 engaged with an aperture edge 314. Thepositioning of the cam edge 310 adjacent the aperture edge 314 isfacilitated by the guide key 311, which effects the entry of the lug 307into the aperture 315.

By pressing down on the end 316 of the arm 308, the camming edges 305and 310 ride downwardly across the aperture edges 313 and 314. Duringthis downward movement, the lugs 303, 306 and 307 move progressivelyinto intensified engagement with their associated apertures. Thisresults, of course, from the perforation edge engaging shank surfaces304 and 309 being longitudinally displaced somewhat less than thedistance X as shown in FIGURE 12.

As will be seen by reference to FIGURES 10, 11 and 12, the distance X isthe perpendicular distance between the perforation edge 310 and a commonplane extending from the edge 313 of perforation 317 and the counterpartperforation edge 318 of perforation 319 which receives lug 306. Withthis dimensional arrangement, pressing of the plate 302 flat against theshelf surface 312 will cause the shank edges of the cam lugs tocompressively and lockingly engage the edges of the plate apertures.Such compressive engagement is made possible by proper dimensioning,consistent with the resilient yieldability of the material from whichthe shelf 312 and the mechanism 300 are fabricated.

As will be appreciated, camming surface 310 provides a transitionmechanism to enable the lug 307 to move from the initial position, shownin FIGURE 11 where the guide key 311 is inserted in the aperture 315, toits final locking position shown in FIGURE 12 where the shank edge 309compressively engages the aperture edge 314. During this camming orrotary movement, the cam surface 305 of the lug 303 facilitates theentry of the lug 303 into the aperture 317 and facilitates the overallpenetration of the lug 303 into the aperture 317 so as to bring theshank edge 304 into compressive engagement with the aperture edge 313.As will be appreciated, the shank edge 304 moves into compressiveengagement with the aperture edge 313 simultaneous with the movement ofthe shank edge 309 into compressive engagement with the aperture edge314.

Obviously the comments here made with respect to the lug 303 and itsinsertion into the aperture 317 are also applicable to the cooperationbetween the lug 306 and the aperture 319 into which it is inserted.

Mechanism 300 includes a generally U-shaped, divider base leg engaging,clamp 320.

Clamp 320 includes a leg portion 321 extending upwardly from the plate302 and generally away from the shaft 312. A planar connecting portion322 extends from the upper edge of the leg 321 generally away from thebase plate 302. A second leg portion 323 extends downwardly from theconnecting portion 322 generally toward the plane of the base plate 302.

As shown, leg portions 321 and 323 are engageable with opposite sides ofa base frame portion 324 of a divider corresponding for example to theleg 108 of the divider 103.

Clamp portion 322 penetrates the body of the divider by passing throughone of the illustrated, lattice-like openings.

Thus, with this structure, the clip portion 320 of the securingmechanism 300 may be engaged with a divider base leg and the lugs 303,306 and 307 moved into com pressive locking position with aperture edgesas shown in FIGURES 11 and 12. When thus positioned, the mechanism 300provides effective support for a base leg of a shelf divider.

Mechanism 300 may be utilized to stabilize intermediate portions ofunusually long shelf dividers, or in some instances may serve asindependent shelf divider supporting units. In some instances, pinfasteners may penetrate the apertures 325 and 326 and enter the base leg108 to more permanently connect the divider body and unit 300.

Summary of advantages and scope of invention As will be readilyapparent, the several shelf divider and shelf divider securingmechanisms previously described may be altered substantially inconfiguration while maintaining the basic functional and structuralaspects of the invention.

It will be equally obvious that the shelf perforation engaging mountingunits are operable to support shelf dividers on shelves having aperforation pattern other than the pattern of diamond shapedperforations illustrated.

As will be recognized, the combination hook and locking abutmentstructure, illustrated in connection with FIGURES 1 through 5, providesa uniquely rugged mechanism for resiliently and rigidly anchoring ashelf divider to a perforate plate. The manipulative operations requiredare simple and easily handled by mechanically unskilled personnel.Further, the mechanism itself is operable to effect dividerinstallations without requiring critical longitudinal spacing of thesupporting mechanism along the base of a divider body.

The flanged, detachable mounting hook featured in FIGURE 6 provides auniquely simple but structurally rugged mechanism for interconnecting ashelf edge and a divider body. The hook flanges in and of themselvespromote divider stability in providing a planar mounting sur-" faceadjacent a shelf edge which tends to resist turning tendencies of themounting hook and divider body. The hook flanges in extending beyond thehook shank uniquely stabilize and strengthen the U-shaped mountingbracket of the hook thereby promoting overall strength and mountingstability. The hook may be easily attached to differently dimensioneddivider bodies.

The rotatable locking cams featured in FIGURES 6 through 9 afford adeceptively simple yet rugged divider securing unit. These locking lugs,in combination with a telescoping divider body, contribute significantlyto the ease with which a divider may be selectively positioned andlocked in position. The telescoping character of the divider bodyeliminates criticality in the longitudinal positioning of the camlocking units. The cam locking units themselves may be operated with asimple manual manipulation not requiring a high degree of dexterity.Significantly, this locking is achieved within the vertical confines ofthe divider body.

The mounting mechanism featured in FIGURES 10 and 11 affords a uniquelyrugged system for securing divider walls without creating verticalimpediments to the utilization of available shelf space. Indeed, thisdivider unit, when positioned, is substantially coplanar with thedivider supporting shelf.

In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferredembodiments. However, those skilled in the shelf divider art andfamiliar with the disclosure of this invention may recognize additions,deletions, substitutions and other modifications.

10 I claim: 1. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving,said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having laterally and resilientlyflexible end portions; first securing means connected to one laterallyand resiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said firstsecuring means including longitudinally resilient spring means; shelfperforation engaging, first hook means attached to said spring means andgenerally fao' ing said divider body, said first hook means beingengageable with a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from saidshelf divider body, first arm means extending laterally of said hookmeans, shelf perforation engaging, first locking abutment means carriedby said first arm means, said first locking abutment means includingshelf perforation-edge engaging, first abutment means facing away fromsaid divider body, and first locking lip means extending from said firstabutment means generally away from said divider body, said first lockinglip means being engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extendingaway from the perforation edge engaged by said first abutment means,second securing means connected to another laterally and resilientlyflexible end portion of said divider body, said second securing meansincluding shelf perforation engaging, second hook means attached to saidspring means and generally facing said first hook means, said secondhook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge facinggenerally away from said shelf divider body, second arm means extendinglaterally of said hook means, shelf perforation engaging, second lockingabutment means carried by said second arm means, said second lockingabutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, secondabutment means facing away from said first abutment means, and secondlocking lip means extending from said second abutment means generallyaway from said first locking lip means, said second locking lip meansbeing engageable with an undersurface of a shelf extending away from theperforation edge engaged by said second abutment means, each of saidfirst and second arm means extending in parallel relationship from oneside of said divider body; each of said first and second hook meansbeing displaced from, and lying on one side of, said divider body andspaced the same distance from said one side of said divider body; eachof said first and second locking abutment means being displaced from andlying on one side of said divider body, and spaced the same distancefrom said one side of said divider body; said resilient spring means ofsaid first securing means being operable to enable said first and secondhook means to be resiliently displaced longitudinally of said dividerbody and compressively and yieldably engaged with shelf perforationedges spaced longitudinally of said divider body; and said secondsecuring means being operable, with said second hook means engaged withone shelf perfora tion, to enable said second arm means to be pivoted inone direction about said second hook means whereby said second lockinglip may be inserted in another shelf perforation, with the resilience ofsaid divider body thereafter pivoting said second arm means in adirection opposite to said one direction to bring said second abutmentmeans into engagement with an edge of said other shelf perforation andposition said second locking lip means beneath a portion of said shelfextending away from said perforation edge. 2. A shelf divider forinstallation on perforate shelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resilientlyflexible end portion; securing means connected to said laterally andresiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said securingmeans including longitudinally resilient spring means;

shelf perforation engaging, hook means attached to said spring means andgenerally facing said divider body, said hook means being engageablewith a shelf perforation edge facing generally away from said shelfdivider body,

arm means extending laterally of said hook means,

shelf perforation engaging, locking abutment means carried by said armmeans, said locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edgeengaging, abutment means facing away from said divider body, and lockinglip means extending from said abutment means generally away from saiddivider body, said locking lip means being engageable with anundersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engagedby said abutment means. 3. A shelf divider for installation on perforateshelving, said shelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resilientlyflexible end portion; securing means connected to said laterally andresiliently flexible end portion of said divider body, said securingmeans including shelf perforation engaging, hook means generally facingsaid divider body, said hook means being engageable with a shelfperforation edge facing generally away from said shelf divider body,

arm means extending laterally of said hook means,

shelf perforation engaging, locking abutment means carried by said armmeans, said locking abutment means including shelf perforation-edgeengaging, abutment means facing away from said divider body, and lockinglip means extending from said abutment means generally away from saiddivider body, said locking lip means being engageable with anundersurface of a shelf extending away from the perforation edge engagedby said abutment means. 4. A shelf divider comprising: a divider body; amounting hook engageable with an edge portion of a shelf, said mountinghook including hook body means having a generally concave hooking edge,a generally convex outer edge, and a hook shank,

a first, planar, flange coextensive with one side of said hooking edgeand spaced from said convex outer edge;

a second generally planar flange coplanar with said said first planarflange and extending coextensive with a side of said hooking edgeopposite to said one side,

said first and second generally planar flanges being axially coextensivewith said hook shank and projecting longitudinally therebeyond andgenerally coextensive with a shank edge extending from said hookingedge;

a U-shaped mounting bracket having a first leg, a second leg parallel tosaid first leg and spaced therefrom, and a bracket end extending betweensaid first and second legs and interconnecting said first and secondlegs with said hook shank, said first flange extending at leastpartially longitudinally along and being connected with said first legof said mounting bracket; said second flange extending at leastpartially longitudinally along and being connected with said second legof said mounting bracket; and said first and second legs being engagedwith opposite sides of a wall portion of said divider body. 5. A shelfdivider comprising: a divider body; a mounting hook engageable with anedge portion of a shelf, said mounting book including hook body meanshaving a generally concave hooking edge, a generally convex outer edge,and a hook shank, a first, flange coextensive with one side of saidhooking edge;

a second flange coextensive with said first flange and extendingcoextensive with a side of said hooking edge opposite to said one side,

said first and second flanges being axially coextensive with said hookshank and projecting longitudinally therebeyond;

a mounting bracket connected with said divider body;

said first flange extending at least partially longitudinally along andbeing connected with one portion of said mounting bracket;

said second flange extending at least partially longitudinally along andbeing connected with another portion of said mounting bracket.

6. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, said shelfdivider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resilientlyflexible portion;

securing means connected to said laterally and resiliently flexibleportion of said divider body, said securing means including shelfperforation engaging, hook means, said hook means being engageable witha shelf perforaation edge,

arm means, extending laterally of said divider body means,

shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by said arm means,said abutment means including shelf perforation-edge engaging, abutmentmeans spaced laterally outwardly of said divider body and said hookmeans. 7. A shelf divider for installation on perforate shelving, saidshelf divider comprising:

a shelf divider including a body having a laterally and resilientlyflexible portion; first securing means connected to said laterally andresiliently flexible portion of said divider body, said first securingmean including first, shelf perforation engaging, hook means, said firsthook means being engageable with a shelf perforation edge,

first arm means extending laterally of said divider body,

first, shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by said firstarm means, said first abutment means including first, shelfperforation-edge engaging, abut- 13 ment means spaced laterallyoutwardly of said divider body and said hook means; second securingmeans connected to said divider body,

said second securing means including second, shelf perforation engaging,hook means, said second hook means being engagea-ble with a shelfperforation edge, second arm means extending laterally of said dividerbody, second, shelf perforation engaging, abutment means carried by saidsecond arm means, said second abutment means including second, shelfperforation-edge engaging, abutment means spaced laterally outwardly ofsaid divider body and said hook means; and

resilient means operable to permit resilient separation of said firstand second securing means, longitudinally of said divider body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARION PARSONS, JR., PrimaryExaminer

